Home › Glossary › Letter Y

Yesod

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The ninth sefirah on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, representing foundation, covenant, and the channel between the upper and lower worlds.

Detailed Definition
Yesod, meaning "Foundation," is associated with the sexual organs and the figure of Joseph the Tzaddik. It channels the divine energies from the higher sefirot into the physical world (Malkuth). In poetry, Yesod can symbolize the generative power of the divine, the sacredness of covenant relationships, and the crucial role of the righteous individual as a conduit for blessing. It represents the hidden foundation upon which the visible world is built, a bridge between spirit and matter.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Kabbalistic poetry, Yesod is foundation: “Channel of flow—Yesod, connects divine to earth”; In mystical verse, Yesod is covenant: “Brit milah—Yesod, pillar of connection”; In contemporary poetry, Yesod is integrity: “Moral core—Yesod, base of upright life”; Poets describe Yesod as conduit: “Moon’s reflection—Yesod, gathers light for below.”
Additional Notes
Yesod (“Foundation”) in Kabbalah channels divine energy from the upper sefirot to Malkhut (Kingdom), associated with the covenant, procreative power, and the tzaddik; it is linked to the moon and the Sabbath; poets may use Yesod to explore themes of connection, transmission, and the hidden structures that sustain spiritual and communal life.
Also Known As
Foundation (in Kabbalah)
Skip to main content